Roach: Hysterectomy, depression link?

Dear Dr. Roach: I had a hysterectomy and removal of my ovaries. Is there a correlation between hysterectomy and mental illness/depression? What happened to the moisture of my body, and what happened to the orgasms? -- C.H.

Dr. Roach: I think the major issue is the removal of the ovaries (oophorectomy), not the hysterectomy, which is removal of the uterus.

Estrogen, made in your ovaries, has complicated effects on depression, with different effects on different women. Sudden loss, as from surgical removal of the ovaries, may exacerbate the tendency for depression. The drop in estrogen after childbirth occurs at the same time as the high risk for postpartum depression, but it's not proven that the two are related.

On the other hand, it's clear that estrogen also is necessary for the lining of the vagina, and its loss causes tissues to dry and thin. Many women notice dryness in other places as well. Orgasms also can be affected by hormone loss. Replacement of estrogen helps many women, but other women get more relief with combinations of estrogen, progesterone and testosterone.

A discussion with your doctor about hormone replacement is a good idea. However, estrogen by itself usually doesn't make depression better.

Dear Dr. Roach: What causes constant dizziness? Could it be low blood pressure? Are there medical reasons for this condition? -- D.P.

Dr. Roach: Dizziness means different things to different people. In the medical world, we distinguish between two major types: vertigo and lightheadedness.

Vertigo is the sense that the world is moving (usually spinning), but sometimes it's the person who feels like he or she is moving. Vertigo usually is caused by problems in the organ of balance in the inner ear, or by the nerve that connects it to the brain.

Lightheadedness does not have a sense of motion, but induces a sensation of being about to faint. This can come from low blood pressure, especially if it occurs upon standing, but a whole host of problems can cause it, including blood sugar problems, hormonal changes, medications and just getting older.

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Roach: Hysterectomy, depression link?

Dear Dr. Roach: I had a hysterectomy and removal of my ovaries. Is there a correlation between hysterectomy and mental illness/depression? What happened to the moisture of my body, and what happened